Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
Video Viewfinder
Backqround of the Invention
1. Field
The present invention relates to the field of motion
picture production systems, and more particularly, to
motion picture production systems which permit a director
to preview a scene for the placement of actors, action
shots and/or special effects prior to actual filming.
2. Art Backqround
Special effects and action photography have played an
important role in motion picture productions since the
early days of the film industry. In recent years, box
office hits such as Terminator, Terminator II, The Abyss,
and Aliens testify to the captivating power of special
effects and action photography, and underscore the signif-
icance of these types of motion pictures in contemporaryfilm making.
To achieve the proper "feel" of a scene or action
shot, including the placement of actors, lights and in
many instances the motion of the motion picture camera, it
is desirable for the director to accurately preview the
scene prior to actual filming. Optimally, the directo-
wishes to preview or "walk" the scene using the same lens
which will be used on the motion picture camera. It lS
important to preview the scene using the same lens tha.
will be used in the actual filming, since various lenses
have characteristics which differ from lens to lens.
In the past, in order for a director to preview a
scene to insure the proper placement of lighting, actors
and camera movement, the selected lens was mounted onto
the actual motion picture camera, and the director viewed
the scene through the camera sighting system. However,
this often proved to be impractical since it required
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setting up the entire camera package to preview the scene
for filming. In the case where a crane and dolly system
was used, the laying of track for the dolly had to take
place prior to the scene preview, and any further changes
to the scene required movement of the tracks and dolly.
Other alternatives which have been explored include the
mounting of the motion picture lens on a sighting tube
which is hand held by the director when previewing the
scene. Unfortunately, a disadvantage of the sighting tube
is that only the director is able to view the scene as it
will be shot. Camera operators, lighting engineers and
actors are unable to simultaneously preview the scene
prior to filming.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a device which
permits a director to efficiently explore complex moves
and to preview the scene for set-up, and thereby realize
the director's artistic direction without the encumbrance
of repeatedly moving cameras, tracks and dollies for each
preview.
As will be described, the present invention provides
a hand held apparatus which permits the simultaneous
viewing of a scene and the remote recording of the scene
using a video camera. The simultaneous viewing of the
director~s scene preview by a crew member with a monitor
is extremely helpful in expediting an otherwise slow and
costly process. By providing information about the scene
instantly through video transmission, actors and crew
members may quickly adapt to new scenes or changes as a
group, with the same clear visual reference. The present
invention has particular application for use in motion
picture productions incorporating action scenes requiring
camera movement, and provides the director with an effi-
cient method for experimenting with various camera move-
ments and recording a contemplated scene for later review.
- - :
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SummarY of the Invention
A hand held video viewfinder for simultaneously
viewing a scene and recording the scene using a video
camera is disclosed. An optical assembly includes an
optical housing body having a lens mounting bracket for
receiving a primary camera lens. The primary camera lens
is selected to correspond to the same motion picture or
video lens which will be used during the actual filming of
the particular scene. A removable ground glass relay lens
having visible etched format lines corresponding to the
aspect ratio chosen for a particular production is re-
ceived within a barrel-shaped receiving section of the
optical housing body. The ground glass relay lens may be
inserted and removed from the barrel-shaped receiving
section. A sighting tube is coupled to the optical
housing permitting a user to view a scene by viewing the
scene through the sighting tube, the ground glass relay
lens and the primary camera lens. A video camera is
coupled to the optical housing body through an intermedi-
ate lens and is provided with a view of the scene by abeam splitter and turning mirror disposed between the
sighting tube and the ground glass relay lens. The video
camera provides a video signal corresponding to the scene
as viewed by the user through the relay lens and the
selected primary camera lens.
A base is coupled to the optical assembly by a post
having a gripping portion comprised of a rubberized
material. The base provides a counter mass balance ~or
the optical assembly to stabilize the view~inder when
gripped by a user. The base accepts and houses electronic
components, including a removable transmitter assembly
having an antenna to transmit the video signal generated
by the video camera to one or more remote receivers that
may be in turn coupled to video recorders. The video
recorders and receivers may be stationary, or may take the
form of hand held video recorders carried by cast and/or
crew members on a set. The electronics disposed within
-
~ ~ =
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the base includes a frame line generator for generating
frame lines corresponding to selected aspect ratios used
in motion picture and other productions. The frame line
generator inserts selected frame lines in the output video
signal prior to transmission to the remote receiver. A
selector switch is provided in the base to permit the user
to select preset aspect ratio formats generated by the
frame line generator. The electronics further includes a
character and a graphic generation circuit for inserting
alpha-numeric characters and graphics in the output video
signal. The video camera and supporting electronics
disposed in the base are powered by a removable Nicad
battery pack which is received in the underside of the
base.
In an alternative embodiment, a charge coupled device
(CCD) camera and video electronics are disposed within the
post assembly. In yet another alternative embodiment, a
rotatable pellicle is capable of directing light in
opposite directions, depending upon the position of the
pellicle. In this manner, an image may be directed toward
a camera disposed beneath the optical assembly or above
the optical assembly, allowing a director to choose which
configuration is superior for a particular scene.
In operation, a director wishing to preview a scene
selects a primary camera lens which is to be used during
actual ~ilming. An appropriate ground glass relay lens
having the desired aspect ratio etched therein is inserted
into the receiving barrel. The director then switches on
the supporting electronics and video camera, and selects
one or more aspect ratio formats to be inserted into the
output video signal. The director may choose to optically
view the scene through the sighting tube, or alternative-
ly, to view the scene holding a hand held monitor or an
external attached monitor, such as a small monochrome or
color CCD or LCD screen. The scene may then be previewed
and viewed by the director as well as others, including
camera operators, special effects consultants, lighting
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specialists and actors using remote receivers. Once the
scene is previewed, if the director is not satisfied with
the location of actors, lighting, or other scene parame-
ters or desires to substitute a different primary lens,
the director may do so and then re-walk the scene until
satisfied that all of the necessary elements for a suc-
cessful shot are present.
Brief Description of the Drawinq
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodi-
ment of the video viewfinder of the present inventionincluding a removable ground glass relay optic element and
a removable motion picture camera lens.
Figure 2 is a partial cross-section of the preferred
embodiment of the video viewfinder of the present inven-
tion illustrating the optical path whereby a user and avideo camera simultaneously view a scene through the
motion picture camera lens.
Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the electri-
cal and optical systems of the preferred embodiment o~ the
video viewfinder of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a view through the optical path
of the preferred embodiment of the video viewfinder of the
present invention, including format lines for a selected
aspect ratio chosen for a motion picture production.
Figure 5 illustrates the view of a scene as recorded
by the preferred embodiment of the video view~inder o~ the
present invention's video camera, wherein the video image
includes format lines for a selected aspect ratio as
generated by a ~rame line generator.
~ 30 Figure 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment o~ the
video viewfinder of the present invention's use of a
character generation circuit and a graphic generator to
electronically insert additional data into the video
output of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the
video view~inder of the present invention's use of multi-
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ple format lines generated by the frame line generator of
the present invention, and the use of selected shading to
identify "out of scene" objects within the field as
recorded by the video camera.
Figure 8 is a cross-section illustrating the optical
path of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the
present invention's low mode wherein a user may invert the
pre~erred embodiment of the present invention using a
handle attached to the bottom of the base.
Figure 10 illustrates a dovetail coupling mechanism
when the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
utilized in a low mode viewing arrangement.
Figure 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 12 illustrates a cross section of the embodi-
ment o~ Figure 11.
Figure 13 illustrates an exploded assembly drawing for
the pellicle illustrated in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure
11, illustrating a de-anamorphic lens assembly.
Figure 15 illustrates a coupling mechanism for the
optical body and post assembly illustrated in Figure 11.
Figure 16 is another alternate embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 17 is a further alternate embodiment of the
present invention.
Detailed DescriPtion of the Preferred Embodiments
An apparatus ~or simultaneously viewing a scene and
recording the scene using a video camera, having particu-
lar application in motion picture production is disclosed.
In the following description, numerous details are set
forth such as optical elements, electronic components,
mechanical structures and operational details, etc., to
provide a full understanding of the present invention. In
some instances, well known circuits and structures are not
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described in detail in order not to obscure the preferred
embodiment of the present invention unnecessarily.
Referring now to Figure 1, one preferred embodiment of
the present invention includes an optical assembly re-
ferred to generally by the numeral 12, and a base 14including an electronic assembly referred to generally by
the numeral 14. As illustrated, the optical assembly 12
and the electronic assembly 14 are coupled to one another
by a post assembly 16. The post assembly 16 includes a
handgrip 18, which in the present embodiment, comprises a
foam or rubberized material to permit a sure grip by a
user of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the post assembly 16 may be
telescoped to lengthen or shorten its overall length as
desired by a user. As shown in Figure 1, the optical
assembly 12 is coupled to the post assembly 16 by a
grooved dovetailed slide 21 which is received by a corre-
sponding dovetail 23 on the underside of the optical
assembly 12. For adjustment of the center of gravity
(CG), the optical assembly may be moved along the dovetail
slide 21 and secured at a desired location through the use
of a dovetail thumb cam 27.
As shown in the perspective view of Figure 1, the
optical assembly 12 includes a lens mounting bracket 20
for receiving a primary camera lens 22. This lens mount-
ing mechanism is quickly replaceable with a variety of
lens mount adapters to accept current and future lenses.
The primary camera lens 22 is selected by the director to
correspond to the same (or e~uivalent) motion picture or
video lens which will be used during the actual filming o~
a particular scene. The primary lens 22 illustrated in
Figure 1 comprises a zoom lens which is further provided
with a zoom lens signal generator 25, which as will be
described, provides signals indicative of the zoom posi-
tion of the lens to the electronics of the preferredembodiment of the present invention. In practice, the
preferred embodiment o~ the present invention is designed
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to accept motion picture camera lenses from a variety of
manufacturers and lens providers, including but not
limited to, ARRI~, Panavision~, Ziess~, Canon~ and Nikon~.
A removable ground glass relay lens 30 includes
visible etched format lines corresponding to the aspect
ratio chosen for a particular production, and is received
within a barrel-shaped receiving section 32. The barrel-
shaped receiving section 32 includes an external rotating
barrel 34 having a cutout area 36. By rotating the
external barrel 34, the cutout section 36 may be placed
over a ground glass removal and installation access port
(not shown), and the ground glass relay lens 30 may be
inserted and removed from the receiving section 32.
The barrel-shaped receiving section 32 is coupled to
an optical housing body 38 which is provided with appro-
priate mounting brackets to accept the various components
comprising the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
tion. As shown, a sighting tube 42 is coupled to the
optical housing body 38. Sighting optics 44 are coupled
to the sighting tube 42 permitting a user to view a
desired scene through the primary camera lens 22 by
viewing the scene through the sighting tube 42 and the
ground glass relay lens 30, as will be described.
As further shown in Figure 1, a video camera 50 is
coupled to the optical housing 38 through an intermediate
lens 52, and permits the simultaneous recording of a scene
as viewed by a user sighting through the sighting tube 42.
A power/video cable 60 is coupled to the video camera 50
~or providing power to the video camera and ~or providing
the output video signal to the electronics of the pre-
ferred embodiment of the present invention.
Continuing to refer to Figure 1, the base 14 is
designed to provide a counter-mass balance for the optical
assembly 12, and thereby stabilize the preferred embodi-
ment of the present invention when gripped at grip 18 bya user. The base 14 accepts and houses the electronic
components of the preferred embodiment of the present
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invention, including a removable transmitter assembly 70
having an antenna 72 to transmit the video signal to a
remote receiver and a video recorder. The transmitter
assembly 70 also may transmit signals to a remote receive
through a microwave link (not shown). The base 14 further
includes a selector switch 74 to permit the user to select
one of a number of preset aspect ratio formats provided by
a frame line generator disposed within the electronics in
the base 14. The electronics are powered by a removable
Nicad battery pack 76 which is received in the underside
of the base 14.
Referring now to Figure 2, the optical path of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in
more detail. The image of a scene is captured by the
primary camera lens 22 and is focused on the ground glass
relay lens 30. Light transmitted from the ground glass
relay lens 30 is optically coupled to a beam splitter 80,
which, in the presently preferred embodiment comprises a
50/50 beam splitter with anti-reflective coatings. In
place of the beam splitter 80, it will be appreciated that
other ~unctionally equivalent optical elements may be
used, such as a prism, pellicle or the like, including
combinations thereof. Light which is reflected by the
beam splitter 80 is reflected onto a 45 degree turning
mirror 82 which results in the light turning 90 degrees,
and is received by the intermediate lens 52 coupled to the
video camera 50. In the presently preferred embodiment,
the video camera 50 comprises a CCD video camera including
a CCD element 84 having high pixel resolution. It will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art, that a variety of
~ video and still cameras may be utilized using the appara-
tus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention
- depending upon the application in which the preferred
embodiment of the present invention is used. Moreover,
various die sizes of the CCD element 84 may be used to
accommodate various motion picture or video primary
lenses. Light which passes through the beam splitter 80
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is passed through the sighting tube 42 and the sighting
optics 44 to the user 86.
As will be noted, the structure of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention permits the user 86 to
view the scene through the primary camera lens 22, and to
simultaneously record the same scene using the video
camera 50. The camera 50 transmits a NTSC/PAL or SECAM
video signal over cable 60 to a junction box 90, as shown
in Figure 1, where the signal is coupled to a triax cable
92 which passes through the post assembly 16 into the base
14, and is in turn coupled to the electronics disposed
therein. The video camera output is then provided to
video distribution switches routing the signal through a
frame line generator printed circuit board 94, and a
character generator circuit board 96, and on to the
transmitter assembly 70 for transmission to a remote
receiver.
Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown in block
diagram form the integrated optical and electrical compo-
nents of the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
tion. The output from the video camera 50 is comprised of
a NTSC, PA~ or SECAM video signal 100 which is coupled
through the junction box 90 to a switch 102. When closed,
the switch 102 couples the video signal to the input of a
character-generator circuit 104, and is also coupled to a
graphic generator circuit 106 and a frame line generator
108. The battery pack 76 is coupled to the electronics of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, includ-
ing the character generator 104, the graphic generator 106
and the frame line generator 108, as well as to the
transmitter 70. A sensor 110 is provided between the
battery pack 76 and to a switch 112, such that during
charge of the batteries, switch 112 is opened thereby
disconnecting the battery pack 76 from the electronics of
the preferred embodiment of the present invention to
protect against potential power surges and damage to the
circuit components. In the presently preferred embodi-
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ment, the Nicad battery pack 76 charges up to 3 amps at 14
volts, and provides a 750 milliamp output.
Continuing to refer to Figure 3, the frame line
generator 108 includes a hold circuit 114 which permits
the simultaneous generation and insertion of multiple
aspect ratio formats in the output video signal provided
by video camera 50. In the presently preferred embodi-
ment, a user 86 places switch 74 in a position to select
one of the preset aspect ratio formats. The user then
presses a hold button activating the hold circuit 114, and
may then use switch 74 to select another aspect ratio
format for simultaneous insertion in the video output
signal.
As illustrated, the output of the frame line generator
108, graphic generator 106 and character generator 104 are
coupled to the transmitter 70 for transmission to a remote
receiver 120. It is contemplated that the transmitter 70
may transmit signals to the remote receiver 120 using
radio frequency (RF) microwave, optical or other appropri-
ate wavelengths as required by the particular applicationin which the present invention is used.
The receiver 120 is coupled to a display monitor 122
and a video recorder 124. In operation, it has been found
that the principal advantage of transmitting the video
signal to a hand held recorder is ease of use by the
director and other users. When walking through a scene or
contemplated camera shot, the video signal output is
transmitted to the remote receiver 120 and recorded by the
video recorder 124. Multiple receivers, which may also b-
coupled to video recorders, can be used to permlt thesimultaneous viewing of the contemplated scene by camera
operators, actors, lighting specialists and others on the
- set. Upon completion of the scene walk through the
director may simply hand the preferred embodiment of the
present invention to a camera assistant without having to
disconnect cables or other lines. In practice, it has
been found that a receiver/recorder combined system such
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as the Sony~ GV-8 system, having a liquid crystal display
screen, may be utilized as both a receiver, monitor and
video recorder.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention may
also be used to transmit high resolution images from the
transmitter 70 to a computer base station 125 coupled to
the receiver 120 for digitally storing and manipulating
the scene images. For example, the digital scene images
may be stored on magnetic disc and edited using a non-
linear editor 126 such as the Sony "Destiny"~9 non-linear
editor, or equipment manufactured by AVID~, among others.
Referring now to Figure 4 and Figure 2, a user viewing
a scene through the optical assembly 12, including the
sighting tube 42, the ground glass relay lens 30 and the
primary camera lens 22, generally views the scene as
illustrated. As shown, the primary camera lens field of
view is defined by the outer border 130 which is the limit
of the scene as viewed by the lens 22, and also simulates
the full aperture view as would be obtained by the motion
picture camera to be used. An inner black format line 135
is visible to the user 86, and represents the selected
aspect ratio format for the particular production. In the
motion picture and television industry, certain aspect
ratios are selected by directors or are required by
certain productions. For example, the Super 35 format
permits an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 whereas television
aspect ratios are 1. 33:1.
As illustrated in Figure 4, a user 86 when sighting
through the sighting tube 42 and the primary camera lens
22 can easily determine how much of the body of an actor
140 or any set elements will Eall within the selected
aspect ratio format by vlewing the black format line 135.
The user can also view how much of the scene will fall
outside of the selected aspect ratio, but still be within
the viewing area, and thereby be captured by, the primary
camera lens 22. Thus, the user 86 may view the contem-
plated scene using the optical assembly of the preferred
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embodiment of the present invention, and experiment with
various motion picture lenses to select the optimum lens
for the particular scene. It will be recalled that the
aspect ratio format line 135 is generated by the ground
glass relay lens 30 being etched to have a black border
with the appropriate ratio disposed thereon.
Referring now to Figure 5, the scene as viewed by
monitor 122 and recorded by the video recorder 124 is
illustrated. The frame line generator 108 of the pre-
ferred embodiment of the present invention generates aselected aspect ratio format. In the illustration, the
selected aspect ratio format has been chosen to be the
same as that provided on the ground glass relay lens 30.
The frame line generator 108 generates the aspect ratio
format and adds a rectangular white border 142 enhancement
signal to the NTSC, PAL or SECAM video signal to accent
the desired film format boundaries. The frame line
generator format image (white video) overlays the etched
black lines and is superimposed on the ground glass relay
lens 30, thereby rendering the format highly visible on
the received video. The use of the frame line generator
108 and the overlay of the frame line generated format
image in white video avoids potential problems associated
with perceiving the etched black lines on the ground glass
relay lens 30 in the video signal, particularly in low
light filming conditions.
Referring now to Figure 6, the character generator 104
and the graphic generator 106 may be used to add alpha-
numeric characters to the output NTSC, PAL, SECAM video
signal transmitted by the transmitter 70 and received by
~ the receiver 120. In the example ilIustrated, a battery
indicator graphic 150 has been inserted into the output
- video signal to permit the viewer to monitor the remaining
battery life. Similarly, the character generator 104 may
be used to insert characters representing, for example,
the size of the current lens (in Figure 6, 25 mm) being
utilized as the primary camera lens 22. In addition, as
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14
previously noted in Figure 1, a zoom lens signal generator
25 may be provided if a zoom lens is used, and its output
coupled to the electronic package of the preferred embodi-
ment of the present invention such that the current zoom
position and respective lens focal length is inserted into
the video field by the character generator 104.
Referring now to Figure 7, the preferred embodiment of
the present invention further permits multiple aspect
ratio formats to be simultaneously displayed in the video
output. As previously described with reference to Figure
3, the frame line generator 108 includes a hold circuit
114 wherein the user may select an aspect ratio format,
activate the hold circuit 114 and select another aspect
~ ratio format for simultaneous display. In the example
shown in Figure 7, the aspect ratio format for Super 35 is
illustrated by reference number 142. The television
standard aspect ratio of 1.33:1 is illustrated as an
overlaid white border 152. The frame line generator 108
further may be selected to provide "half paint" which
refers to the dimming of regions of the video image
outside of and surrounding the border frame line generator
aspect ratio formats being displayed. In Figure 7, this
half-painted area is referred to generally by the numeral
156. Through the use of hal~-painting, the subject 140
rem~'n~ visible in the entire field of view 130 of the
primary camera lens 22, but is not as prominent as in the
primary area o~ interest, namely within the selected
aspect ratio formats. Thus, the use of half painting
allows the director using the preferred embodiment o~ the
present invention to be aware of set pieces, such as
microphones or the like, or actors, which may be just out
of ~rame but still present on the video image. Since the
director is recording the image as he walks through the
scene, such additional background information is very
useful to actors who then may view the replay o~ the scene
and check their locations within the field of view.
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Referring now to Figure 8, the preferred embodiment of
the present invention may be inverted into a "low mode"
for additional flexibility in previewing scenes and
filming action shots. A bracket 160 receives a support
5 rib 165. Support rib 165 includes a longitudinally
extending receiver 166 for receiving a dovetail flange 170
(see Figure 10, and in Figure 1, see dovetail 23). As
best shown in Figures 9 and 10, the optical assembly 12 iS
thus inverted for use in a low mode. A handle 175 iS
10 secured to the bottom of the base 14 and the antenna 72 iS
inverted. In the low mode configuration, the user holds
handle 175 and passes the lens so it stays close to the
~loor, table, actor's shoulder, or the like, as required
by the shot. The user may view the image provided by
15 video camera 50 using the remote receiver 120 and monitor
122. It will be appreciated that by inverting the optical
assembly 12 of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention in the manner illustrated, there is no need to
reverse or invert the video image provided by the video
camera 50. However, the current design of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention offers the ability to
electronically create a reverse oriented image if so
desired. A cross-section of the optical assembly in a low
mode configuration is illustrated in Figure 9.
In operation, a director wishing to preview or "walk"
a scene selects a motion picture camera or other lens
which he is considering utilizing during actual filming.
An appropriate ground glass relay lens having the desired
aspect ratio etched therein is inserted into the barrel
32. Switches 112 and 102 are placed in an "on" position
thereby providing power to the electronic and videc
systems of the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
tion. The director further selectively opens or closes
switches 105, 107 and/or 109 r and selects one or more
aspect ratio formats to be inserted into the output signal
of the video camera 50. The director may choose to
optically view the scene through the sighting tube 42, or
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alternatively, to view the scene as recorded by the video
recorder 124 by holding a hand held monitor 122 coupled to
the receiver 120. The director ~urther may ad~ust the
center of gravity for the preferred embodiment of the
present invention by sliding the optical assembly 12 along
the dovetail mount 23, and securing the optical assembly
to the post assembly 16 by camming the dovetail ~rom cam
27.
Once the director is satisfied with the balance of the
pre~erred embodiment of the present invention's assembly,
the scene may be walked by the director and viewed, and
then subsequently reviewed, by the director as well as
others, including camera operators, actors, special
ef~ects consultants, and lighting specialists by viewing
the images recorded by the video recorder 124. Alterna-
tively, multiple receivers and monitors may be provided on
the set such that each of the respective individuals who
are required to perform a function during the shooting of
the scene are able to simultaneously view the director's
walk through. If the director is not satisfied with the
location of actors, lighting or desires to substitute a
di~ferent motion picture lens, he may do so and then re-
walk the scene until he is satis~ied that all of the
necessary elements ~or a successful shot are present. As
previously described, the director may also invert the
optical assembly and place it in a low mode, supporting
the assembly using handle 175.
Figure 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment which
may be employed to facilitate transformations between
normal mode and low mode operations. A hand held post 212
is mounted to a base 202 that receives light from an
optical body 214 through a lens assembly 215. The hand
held post 212 includes an electronic image reversing
circuit 216 to correct an image in a right to le~t orien-
tation while the base 202 includes other electronicspreviously described with re~erence to ~igures 1 and 2.
A CCD camera 215 is disposed within the hand held tube
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212. A polarized positive lock cap 190 provides for easy
transformation to a low mode operation. A door 232
provides for removal o~ a de-anamorphizer lens assembly
and selector mechanism 230, illustrated in Figure 14. The
de-anamorphizer lens assembly and selector mechanism 230
provides for the correction of anamorphic lenses prior to
image splitting.
Figure 12 is a cross section of the embodiment illus-
trated in Figure 11. A pellicle 200 mounted within the
optical body 214 may be rotated 90 degrees such that th
pellicle 200 may be disposed at an angle of 45 degrees to
the incoming light in two different positions. When the
pellicle 200 is oriented as shown in solid lines in the
figure, approximately fifty percent of the incoming light
is reflected through the post towards the base assembly.
Conversely, for use in low mode operation, when the
pellicle 200 is oriented as shown in dashed lines in the
figure, approximately fifty percent of the incoming light
is reflected in a direction opposite that of the base
assembly 202.
Figure 13 illustrates a frame assembly that permits
the pellicle 200 to rotate through a 90 degree angle. A
pressure tab 206 is coupled to the pellicle 200 and locks
into a detent area of a mounted rotating indexer 204. The
pressure tab 206 is coupled to an external lever 202 that
may be rotated to cause the pellicle 200 to rotate.
Returning to Figure 12, the hand held post 212 is
coupled to the optical body through an indexing flange 210
and a positive lock ring 208. Figure 15 is an expanded
view of the indexing flange 210 and the positive lock ring
208. An outer surface 220 of the positive lock ring 208
may be knurled to enhance ~inger gripping. The indexing
- flange 210 includes flange units 222 and 224 of di~ferent
sizes and the positive lock ring 208 includes a polarizing
pin 222. The flange units 222 and 224 and the polarizing
pin 222 ensure high precision ~inal orientation of the CCD
CA 022l62~4 l997-09-23
W O96/31050 PCTrUS9GI~70
18
camera 215 relative to the pellicle 200, as illustrated in
Figure 12.
With reference to Figure 12, the hand held post 212
includes the electronic image reversing circuit 216 to
correct an image in a right to left orientation, since the
alternative embodiment illustrated in the figure does not
include a secondary mirror as disclosed in the embodiment
of Figure 1. Top to bottom image orientation is accom-
plished by location of the polarizing pin 222 at opposite
10 poles from the positive lock ring 208 relative to the
indexing flange 210. The focus and iris of the CCD camera
215 may be adjusted through two thumb wheel actuators, 218
and 219. Gear splines on the thumb wheel actuators 218
~ and 219 engage gear splines attached to the CCD camera 215
15 such that the focus and iris, respectively, of~ the CCD
camera 215 are adjusted when the thumb wheel activators
218 and 219 are manually rotated.
Still with reference to Figure 12, the optical body
214 includes the de-anamorphizer lens assembly and selec-
20 tor mechanism 230, as previously described. Figure 14 is
a side view of the optical body 214 and illustrates the
de-anamorphizer lens assembly and selector mechanism 230.
The de-anamorphizer lens assembly and selector mechanism
230 is coupled to the door 232. As previously described,
25 the de-anamorphizer lens assembly and selector mechanism
230 provides for the correction of anamorphic lenses prior
to image splitting.
Figure 16 illustrates another embodiment of the
present invention~ An optical body 242 includes a beam
30 splitter 244 and an intermediate optical assembly 240 that
adjus~s an image provided to the beam splitter 244. The
beam splitter 244 iS displaced away from a lens 245 as
compared with the embodiments previously described. Light
which is reflected by the beam splitter 244 is reflected
35 onto a 45 degree turning mirror 247 mounted above the beam
splitter 244 which results in the light turning 90 de-
grees, and is received by an intermediate lens 248. The
CA 022l62~4 l997-09-23
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19
intermediate lens 248 is coupled to a video camera 249
that, to improve the balance characteristics of the entire
~ assembly, is mounted substantially above a hand held post
243. As described with reference to the previous embodi-
ments, the hand held post 243 is coupled to a base 241
that stabilizes the entire assembly.
Figure 17 illustrates another alternate embodiment o~
the present invention. An optical assembly 250 includes
a primary lens 258 and de-anamorphic lens assembly 260
that provide light to a beam splitter 252. In turn, the
beam splitter 252 provides light to a 45 degree turning
mirror 254 mounted below the beam splitter 252. The
turning mirror 254 reflects light to a micro-chip camera
and miniature lens 256, mounted proximately to the turning
mirror 254, that transmits a video image to remote loca-
tions. Finally, light that passes through the beam
splitter 252 also passes through secondary lenses 260 and
262 that focus the light for a user.
Accordingly, apparatus and methods have been described
for simultaneously viewing and recording the scene using
a video camera. Although the present invention has been
described with reference to Figures 1 through 17, it is
contemplated that many changes and modi~ications may be
made by one of ordinary skill in the art to the materials
and arrangements o~ elements of the invention, without
departing ~rom the spirit and scope o~ the invention.
